Emotional appetite in children linked to greater cardiometabolic risk, reveals FMUP

A study conducted by Faculdade of Medicina of Universidade of Porto revealed that children with “emotional” appetites pose greater health risks from adolescence. The research analyzed how environmental factors and family habits shape the eating behavior of children and adolescents between 7 and 13 years old. Resultados indicate that this dietary intake pattern is associated with high blood pressure, insulin resistance and increased waist circumference in early adolescence.

Research has demonstrated that determinants of the food environment impact appetite and, consequently, cardiometabolic health. Aos 13 years old, significant differences are already observable in the health indicators of these minors. The work was recently published and signals the need for early intervention in problematic eating patterns.

Risk Marcadores identified in study

Children with an avid appetite had worse health indicators compared to other groups analyzed. Entre the markers observed are:

• Triglicerídeos elevated in blood
• Arterial Pressão above recommended levels
• Resistência insulin detected
• Perímetro increased waist
• Maior prone to progressive weight gain

Alexandra Costa, PhD in Saúde Pública from FMUP and main author of the study, explains that “at the age of 13 there is already a big difference in children’s cardiometabolic indicators according to their eating behaviors”. The researcher dedicated her doctoral thesis, defended in March, to this topic and has already published seven studies on the subject.

Avid Apetite and socioeconomic factors

Avid appetite, more voracious and involving greater food intake, is strongly associated with unfavorable socioeconomic factors. Crianças with this profile tend to have younger and overweight mothers. In many cases, this behavior is linked to food insecurity and adverse childhood experiences. Essas children consume more of all types of foods, including the healthiest ones, which creates confusion among parents about the real health implications. “Many parents think that if their children are very hungry and eat a lot, it is a good sign and are unaware of the health consequences that go beyond being overweight and obese”, warns Costa.

Emotional eating behavior is different from simple gluttony. Trata is a response to emotional states where the child looks to food as a way to deal with negative or positive feelings. Essa Channeling emotions through food establishes patterns of risk that tend to persist into adulthood.

The Opposite: Reduced Appetite and Better Health

In contrast, children who had a lower appetite demonstrated a low emotional response to food. Têm better regulation of food intake, healthier eating patterns and are characterized by more favorable socioeconomic factors. Essas children tend to have mothers with more education and a more appropriate weight. Lower consumption behavior does not mean malnutrition, but rather a more balanced relationship with food where signs of satiety are respected naturally.

Alexandra Costa emphasizes that we cannot yet talk about metabolic disease in these early stages. Porém, children with uncontrolled appetite tend to be at high risk of developing obesity and diabetes in adulthood. Prevention in this age window is essential to avoid progression to chronic conditions.

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Metodologia and data used

The study used data from different long-term research cohorts. Entre at three and twelve months of age, the BITWIN cohort was used with approximately 300 participants. Nas In other age groups, the longitudinal cohort Geração XXI was used, which follows children born in 2005 and 2006 in Portugal. Essa’s longitudinal approach allows us to observe behavioral trajectories throughout development, providing robust evidence on how early eating habits manifest in later health indicators.

Data collection included information on families’ socioeconomic conditions, maternal habits during pregnancy and body mass index of those responsible. Esses factors were correlated with assessments of children’s appetite and food consumption patterns, allowing a multifactorial analysis of the phenomenon.

Dois extreme eating behavior

Research has identified two extreme types of behavior towards food: greedy appetite and poor appetite. Ambos represent deviations from a balanced pattern where the child eats according to biological need and responds appropriately to signals of hunger and satiety. Greedy appetite involves excessive eating often motivated by emotional or environmental factors. Low appetite reflects difficulty in responding to internal signals of hunger and may be associated with trauma, anxiety or other conditions. Compreender these variations allow for more targeted interventions.

Alexandra Costa argues that the responsibility is not exclusive to parents and families. Schools play a crucial role in shaping eating habits, as do food industries and marketing campaigns aimed at children. “Socio-economic and environmental determinants can only be changed with global policies”, says the researcher. Ela points out the need to sensitize parents to regulate food quantities and, at the opposite extreme, to offer a variety of healthy foods repeatedly until children naturally accept these foods.

Implicações for Public Health Policy

The study findings suggest the need for structured public health interventions. Programas educational information on children’s eating behavior should be implemented in schools and primary health units. Pais need expert guidance to recognize signs of emotional hunger and distinguish them from genuine physiological hunger. Profissionais health professionals should be trained to assess eating trajectories from an early age.

The research shows that significant differences in cardiometabolic health are already present at age 13, a period in which there is still time to reverse or prevent progression. Intervenções focused on children with uncontrolled appetite could reduce the incidence of chronic diseases in adulthood. Regulação from the marketing of ultra-processed foods aimed at minors also emerges as a relevant recommendation from the investigation.